The Feminist Movement is also referred to as the Women's Movement, Women's Rights Movement, Women's Liberation and the Suffrage Movement. Either way, all such terms are unified in the struggle for gender equality. Historians describe the Feminist Movement, specifically in the United States, in three periods called "waves."
Background
In early times, women were held as emotionally, socially and physically inferior to men. In most societies, their lifetime role was defined by maternity, which concerned bearing children and being chiefly responsible for them, as well as performing the domestic chores while their husbands did the more strenuous outdoor work. Thus, in most societies, women's social and economic status did not extend much beyond the house--and such a role consequently limited their legal rights.
First Wave (1840s to 1950s)
The first wave of feminism is mainly characterized by the push in the United States for women's suffrage: the right of women to vote. Key figures during this period include Susan B. Anthony (1820 to 1906) and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 to 1902), founders of the National Woman Suffrage Association and advocates for a congressional amendment to the Constitution to achieve female voting rights. That eventually came to pass with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
However, the fight for equality continued. The following year, Margaret Sanger (1883--1966) founded the predecessor of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which fought for women's rights in family planning.
Black women, feeling marginalized by the women's movement, turned to leaders such as Mary McLeod Bethune (1875 to 1955), who founded the National Council of Negro Women.
Second Wave (1960s to 1980s)
The second wave of feminism dealt mostly with social and cultural issues. The best-selling book "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) by Betty Friedan (1921 to 2006) is credited with starting the second wave---an account of the disillusionment middle-class American housewives felt with their limited roles in society. Friedan would found the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966---the largest feminist organization in the United States.
However, this period is also noted for key legislation and judicial decisions. They include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits gender discrimination, and Roe vs. Wade (1973), the Supreme Court decision that establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion.
Third Wave (1990s to present)
The third wave of feminism can be described as building on the foundations laid by the two previous periods, even though there were still some important legal landmarks. (For example, the 1992 Supreme Court case Planned Parenthood vs. Casey reaffirmed women's right to abortion under Roe vs. Wade). More women are getting an education, entering the work force, becoming successful and living independent lives.
Impact
The feminist movement changed the traditional understanding of certain aspects of society, such as marriage, education, property ownership, professional ambitions and involvement in politics.
The feminist movement has extended beyond Europe and the U.S., e.g. its fight against female circumcision in African countries.
